FORMER Kangaroos midfielder Ryan Bastinac says he jumped at the chance to join Brisbane after his AFL career went “stagnant’’ at North Melbourne.
The 24-year-old has joined the Lions on a four-year deal and is excited that the move north will see the quality of his football head in the same direction.
Bastinac had been a mainstay of the Kangaroos on-ball division since his senior debut in 2010 as an inside midfielder but fell out of favour at Arden St the past two seasons after he was forced to play more of an outside role.
Ready-made ball-winning mids with 121 senior games to their name do not grow on trees so Brisbane pounced at the chance to recruit Bastinac, who will form part of the solution to the club’s contested ball problems.
The 184cm, 84kg Bastinac cannot wait to get in and under packs and get his hands dirty for the Lions as he seeks to recapture his best form.
“I was looking for a fresh start because my last two years at North have been a bit stagnant. I felt like my footy was going in the right direction in my first four years and I was improving every year but that development just kind of stopped,’’ he said.
“That inside mid role is where I played all my junior footy and it is where I played my best footy at senior level but the last two seasons I was pushed outside.
“The move to Brisbane is exciting because it’s an opportunity to play my natural game alongside an exciting group of young players in a great city.’’
Another chapter begins @brisbanelions Cannot wait for 2016 and getting stuck into pre season. Exciting times ahead #GoLions
— Ryan Bastinac (@rbastinac03) October 22, 2015
Bastinac is confident he can complement what established midfield leaders Tom Rockliff and Dayne Beams bring to Brisbane as well as pass on some of his experience to the club’s young cubs.
“Rockliff and Beams always get their job done and I’d like to think I can work in with them and add to the midfield mix,’’ he said.
“The Lions have some speed and some really good young talent with guys like Lewy Taylor so it is an exciting time to join the club.
“They like to play quick and seem like they are on the right track.
“Overall, the Lions as a whole are a pretty young group and hopefully my experience at playing at a successful club like North that’s played a few finals will help the younger guys come through.’’
Bastinac played 17 senior games in 2015 and was pick no. 21 at the 2009 draft.